Valentine's Day

I know it's a little late, but I felt the need to talk about Valentine's Day. I've almost always loved Valentine's Day. When I was younger, my mom would get us cards and even mailed them to us in college. In college, I had the boyfriends, and immediately following grad school, I met my husband. I have many valentine's memories... most of them, however, include totally stressing about what to get my loved one.

Has anyone else been dragged down by this guilt, this pressure?? Each year, I try to find the perfect card (ok... I always forget and then end up getting the most perfect leftover... lol) and the most perfect gift. Seriously, I usually end up in VS because it's the least brain power required and it's something that I know my hubby will appreciate. Yes, I know, pathetic, and Elizabeth will be shaking her head saying TMI... but it's the truth!

This year my mom said something and at first I was skeptical. I mean, during a conversation, she said straightfaced, "I hate Valentine's Day". Wow... that just struck me. Who the hell can hate the day of love?? But then she continued with, "If you need to set a day aside to tell me you love me, what's the point?" She's right!!

All year my husband and I get each other cards, or cook that special meal, or have a special night. Why do I get so stressed out about this one stupid "declared day of love"??? He knows I love him. My kids know we love them. What the heck were we thinking? So we decided that we weren't going to exchange cards or gifts, or anything. It was freeing!

Then my mom offered to take the girls overnight Saturday. Sweet! We had a night out at a nice restaurant and were able to chat and flirt and have fun. It was so cool... then we pretty much crashed when we got home. Chef Hubby had to go to work the next morning and I was going to spend the day with the girls and my mom. But, unexpectedly, the week before.... I found the "perfect" card, so I had to get it! Wanna see...

I

love

being

with

you

I love how we continue to

learn from each other...

grow with each other...

and

challenge each other

to be the best person

we are meant to become.

I don't know about you, but that's us :o)

In the Kitchen...

Portugese Natas...

Holiday Trays that I was asked to do... me! Not Chef Hubby... hehe. I think they came out pretty :o)

Oreo fudge, Brownies, Peanut Butter Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies,

Fluffernutter Fudge, Mini Carrot Cake Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting

Snow Day!!

So today we are having a snow day. Well, I had a snow day, the kids and Chef Hubby actually had a half day. Last night we chatted and decided that the kids would have a snow day too! Yay! Gotta admit, the whole sleeping late thing was very exciting to me :o) Typically, I have to be up at 6am and then get things ready to get the kids up and ready by 6:55 so that we can be out the door and in the car by 7:38. (I don't know why it's 7:38... it just always seems that that's the time on the dashboard about 98% of the time, so that's my goal now... lol)

So anyway, I woke up at 8:45... hehe. The girls were playing in Payton's room, and very well, I must say. I wondered to the kitchen and grabbed some coffee that Hubby had already set up. Asked them if they wanted breakfast. Both said they didn't want to eat, but wanted to play their Leapsters. Hey, why not.

Since I had the time, I decided that I would make a muffin tin for breakfast. I love muffin tins! I haven't been making them as much as I used to; probably due to time, but today I threw it together... hehe

grapes, corn bran cereal, mini pancakes, hash brown potatoe, ketchup, bacon

Payton has been slightly obsessed with the whole mini pancake thing lately, so I've been going with it. I use my mini cookie scoop to drop the batter and it makes it a lot easier. I also discovered that I can make baked mini pancake muffins! These totally rock for weekend breakfasts. I throw some mini chocolate chips in the batter, use my medium cookie to drop the batter into my mini muffin pan, cook for about 18-20 mins at 350 degrees and serve with syrup for dipping! mmm mmm... they come out super light and fluffy if you make the batter ahead of time and let sit for at least 10-20 minutes before portioning into tin. The same goes for if you are making them on the stovetop.

Well, I have tons to fill you in on, but right now I think I should go play a game, or start cutting some butterfly bodies for the girls to decorate for Valentine's Day. PBS Kids is entertaining and all, but hey, I need to make the most of our snow day, right?!